Carmen

BIZET

New orchestration by Harry BlakeNew English version by Robin Norton-Hale

OBSESSION. CONTROL. FREEDOM.

Carmen captivates and provokes, disturbing the composure of everyone she encounters. Sparks fly when she meets José, but as her passion cools, his turns to obsession. Unable to control his feelings or the woman who inspired them, he descends into violence. But Carmen will not give up her freedom for anyone.

This tantalising new production takes place in a torrid South American landscape of dust and concrete, where small-town boredom and machismo can turn nasty.

Bizet’s powerful melodies are orchestrated for a quartet of strings, woodwind and percussion by composer Harry Blake (OperaUpClose’s La Traviata and Don Giovanni).